The Denver Nuggets opened training camp this week in San Diego as the team embarks on its path to repeat as NBA champions.
Unfortunately, Denver is already dealing with an injury. According to multiple media reports, star forward Michael Porter Jr. suffered an ankle injury in practice on Wednesday and was seen in a walking boot following the session.
Harrison Wind of TheDNVR.com reports that the left ankle sprain isn’t something that’s too concerning. Nuggets head coach Michael Malone also said he doesn’t think that it’s something serious.
Even then, we’re talking about one of the most-important players on the defending champs and someone who has dealt with a plethora of injuries throughout his career.
Related: Denver Nuggets standing in Sportsnaut’s NBA power rankings
The 25-year-old Porter Jr. fell to the 14th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft primarily due to concerns over back problems that plagued the former top recruit in college at Missouri. Porter Jr. then missed all but nine games of the 2021-22 campaign due to back and leg injuries before suiting up in 62 games this past season.
Michael Porter Jr. stats (2022-23): 17.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.5 APG, 49% shooting, 41% 3-point
Porter Jr. has to be seen as the Nuggets’ third-most important player behind reigning NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic and star point guard Jamal Murray. While he struggled in the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat (33% shooting), his importance can’t be overstated.
Sure, this seems to be a minor injury. But given the Nuggets’ overall health last season compared to an injury-plagued 2021-22 campaign, it certainly is something to keep an eye on.